UW-Whitewater to host ‘On the Homefront’ community conversations

Continuing Education Services and Young Auditorium recently began a series of programs that engage the community in conversations about military service at home.

Events in the “On the Homefront” program will use letters, personal belongings, and historical artifacts from veterans and service members to reflect on how communities on the homefront are affected by military service.

Two plays, art workshops and displays, and participatory open mic events are planned for the greater Whitewater region. Partner organizations in this program include Fairhaven Senior Services, Hoard Museum, Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, and Hedberg Public Library. Most events are free.

Tickets are required for the Young Auditorium productions.

Veterans and service members and their families and friends are invited to attend programs in the “On the Homefront” series, but even those without connections to the military are encouraged to attend and contribute to the conversation. “This fall, we come together as a community to share the stories of service members and their families, and reflect on veterans’ service past and present,” a press release stated.

Events in the series include:

Community art and story workshops

Guests are invited to bring photos, letters, or other memorabilia and join local artist, Sally Koehler in one of three art workshops to help create a collaborative piece for community display on the UW-Whitewater campus.

The remaining workshop will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Hoard Museum, Fort Atkinson.

War and Peace: Echoes of Past Wars and Homefronts

Exploring the wars that area residents have participated in, this exhibit will juxtapose military artifacts and home front artifacts, including uniforms, letters, and journals.

The exhibit will run from Oct. 15 through Nov. 4 at the Hoard Museum, Fort Atkinson.

Conversations from the Homefront

The public is invited to a participatory program where military families, veterans, and community members are invited to share letters, stories, and historical documents that explore life stateside while service members are abroad.

The program will be at 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, Fairhaven Senior Services, Whitewater; 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, at the University Center, UW-Whitewater; and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the Hedberg Public Library, Janesville.

‘Letters Home’

“Letter Home” is being produced by the Griffin Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at the Young Auditorium, UW-Whitewater.

The play puts the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq front and center by bringing to life actual letters written by soldiers serving in the Middle East, giving audiences a powerful portrait of the soldier experience.

Tickets are required and can be purchased by calling (262) 472-2222 or at tickets.uww.edu/Online.

‘Ghosts of War’

Inspired by the memoir of an Iraq War veteran, the play, produced by Griffin Theatre, offers an honest portrait of his experience as he recounts the intensity of battle, the pain of losing comrades, and finding personal enlightenment. Show time is 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Young Auditorium, UW-Whitewater.

Suggested community reading

Members of the UW-Whitewater community will be reading and discussing “You Know When the Men Are Gone” by Siobhan Fallon.

The collection of fictional accounts highlights the stories of families living at Fort Hood while armed service members are deployed. The greater Whitewater community is encouraged to read these stories to help further our conversations at the various events.

Anyone with a disability who needs special accommodations should contact Kari Borne at (262) 472-1003 or bornek@uww.edu for assistance.

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